Arrogance of a Billionaire CEO

Chapter 1

David Blackwood stood on the balcony of his penthouse, surveying the vast cityscape of Manhattan as dusk settled over the city. The skyline, jagged with towering skyscrapers, mirrored the empire he’d carved from steel, sweat, and ruthless ambition. At 46, he was at the pinnacle of success, the name “Blackwood” etched into California’s and New York’s economies alike, a brand synonymous with power and control.

With a sigh, he took a sip of the bourbon in his hand, letting the warmth slide down his throat as his mind drifted. In this world, David’s name commanded respect, sometimes even fear, but he felt a strange emptiness creeping in at the edges of his carefully constructed life. Wealth and influence had cost him countless relationships, yet he wore it as a badge of honor. Love, sentiment, companionship, those were luxuries for weaker men, distractions for those who didn’t understand the cost of power.

For David, sentiment was a liability, one he couldn’t afford. And so, he’d always kept his personal life as clean and empty as possible, dismissing attachments as frivolous. It was his life’s blueprint, one that worked seamlessly, until recently.

A figure had entered his world, though not by his invitation. Ruth Alcott. The name echoed in his mind like a lingering melody he couldn’t shake. She was unlike anyone he’d encountered before. Audacious, fierce, and, to his frustration, completely unimpressed by his reputation. Ruth was the daughter of William Alcott, a man who’d once dared to compete with Blackwood Enterprises and lost. David had acquired William’s company years ago, dismantling it in his relentless drive to conquer the industry.

But William’s passing had given Ruth the helm, and, against all odds, she had revived the Alcott name. She’d built it back from the ground up, a thorn in his side that he couldn’t ignore. Their paths had crossed more than once over the last few months, and David had found himself uncharacteristically… drawn to her. He chuckled at the thought, his reflection staring back at him through the glass doors.

The chime of the elevator interrupted his thoughts, and he turned as Mary, his assistant, approached with her usual efficient stride. She held a fresh glass of bourbon, her gaze settling on him with a hint of concern that she never fully allowed herself to show.

“You have an early meeting tomorrow,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “Maybe it’s time to call it a night.”

David nodded, though he didn’t move. Mary had been his assistant for years, knowing him better than most, though he had always kept her at a distance, too. She was devoted to him, loyal beyond the call of duty, though he sensed it was more than just professional dedication. Mary cared for him, maybe even loved him, but David had never given it more than a passing thought. Relationships, after all, weren’t part of his life plan.

“You seem distracted tonight,” Mary continued, her tone measured. “Something on your mind?”

He hesitated, wondering how much he could share. Finally, he shrugged, looking back out at the city. “Just business. Someone… persistent has been trying to stand in my way.”

Mary’s brow furrowed. “Ruth Alcott?”

David let a small, dry laugh escape. Mary always seemed to know. “Who else would dare?” He shook his head. “She thinks she can run with the wolves. She’s audacious, I’ll give her that.”

Mary’s lips thinned, betraying a hint of disapproval. “She’s trouble, David. You’ve said it yourself that some rivals don’t know when they’re outmatched. But that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. You should be cautious.”

David smirked, enjoying the way Mary’s protectiveness flared when the subject of Ruth arose. She had an uncanny ability to sense his interest, even if he didn’t voice it. “Caution is for those who plan to lose, Mary,” he replied. “And I don’t lose.”

But her words lingered longer than he intended, settling like an unwelcome shadow over his thoughts. Ruth Alcott was indeed troubled, but not for the reasons Mary suspected. There was something about her that nagged at him, a spark of defiance he found… intriguing. It had been years since anyone dared to speak to him the way Ruth had in their last meeting.

That day, she’d walked into his office with a calm fury, demanding that he abandon a real estate deal her company desperately needed. The transaction was vital to her company’s survival, but he’d refused outright. Her icy stare, the set of her jaw as she held his gaze, David could still picture it as if she were standing before him now.

That was six months ago, yet Ruth had only grown bolder. Against every logical prediction, her company was thriving, challenging him on multiple fronts. She was clever, resourceful, and, to his frustration, remarkably resilient. Most of his competitors folded long before they could reach her level, but Ruth seemed to revel in defying the odds.

David sighed, finishing his bourbon and setting the glass down on the edge of the balcony. He didn’t know what Ruth’s ultimate game was, but he knew one thing that she was going to regret challenging him. And yet, a part of him relished the idea of her resistance, as if her defiance added a layer of excitement to an otherwise predictable world. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, especially not himself, but something about her refusal to yield made him feel alive in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

The city lights twinkled below, a sprawling reflection of his dominance, but tonight, even that view felt oddly hollow. Ruth’s presence seemed to linger in the air around him, an uninvited guest haunting his thoughts. He knew her type well enough: people who let emotions cloud their judgment, who mistook determination for strength. Ruth was convinced that her passion and vision could rival his years of experience, his unrelenting focus on success. It amused him as much as it frustrated him.

"Are you planning to stand out here all night?" Mary’s voice broke his reverie. She was watching him carefully, her gaze intense, as though trying to unravel the thoughts he was keeping to himself.

He gave her a reassuring, if distant, smile. "Just… planning my next move," he replied vaguely, not wanting to reveal too much. Mary nodded, though he could tell she wasn’t convinced. She was perceptive, and he valued that about her, but he also understood that some thoughts were best kept private.

“I’ll be leaving soon. Let me know if you need anything before the meeting tomorrow,” she offered, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary before she turned and headed back into the penthouse.